Lidl boosts British food investment by 40%, reaching £21bn

Nov 19, 2024
2 min read

Lidl GB has announced it will exceed its five-year investment target in British food and farming by 40%, bringing the total to £21 billion by the end of FY24.

This move represents an additional £6 billion, reinforcing the retailer’s support for British agriculture and food production.

In the last financial year, Lidl invested approximately £5 billion across various sectors. Currently, two-thirds of the discounter’s permanent product range is sourced from British suppliers, with all its fresh milk, butter, eggs, cream, pork, chicken and beef being 100% British.

This year, Lidl has announced several significant sector-specific investments to strengthen its supply chain and support British farming.

In January, it committed over £70 million to root vegetable suppliers to provide stability amid challenging weather conditions. April saw a £500 million investment in the British pork sector, which included launching a producer group to foster collaboration and sustainability.

By July, Lidl pledged £1.5 billion to the British beef industry over the next five years, accompanied by a sustainability programme rewarding farmers who adopt eco-friendly practices. Most recently, in October, Lidl announced a £1 billion investment into the British free-range egg industry, offering long-term contracts and guaranteed minimum volumes to its suppliers.

Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, said: “As we celebrate 30 years of Lidl in Great Britain, it’s a fitting time to reflect on how far we’ve come. One of the things we’re most proud of are the strong relationships we’ve built with British suppliers, who have grown with us over the years."

"Now more than ever, we remain committed to supporting British farmers, ensuring we’re a dependable partner to those who put quality, home-grown food on Lidl shelves across the country. By continuing to invest in British agriculture, we’re helping to ensure our suppliers can thrive in the future, providing the British-sourced products our customers love all year round.”

#Lidl #GB

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Leah Smith

8 May 2026

New products

Ella’s Kitchen launches new children's snack range

Ella’s Kitchen is expanding beyond the baby food aisle with the launch of Ella’s Kitchen Kids, a new product line aimed at children aged 18 months and older.

The launch marks a significant strategic move for the brand as it looks to extend its presence beyond the weaning category and capture growing demand for healthier snack options for toddlers and young children.

Positioned as a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional children’s snacks, the new range combines bold flavours, playful branding and convenient formats with the nutritional standards parents associate with the Ella’s Kitchen brand.

The company said the range was developed in response to changing family eating habits and the lack of minimally processed snack options for older toddlers outside the baby aisle.

Initial products include Ella’s Kitchen Kids Crunchy Stix in Cheese + Onion, Tomato + Basil and Pesto varieties, alongside Ella’s Kitchen Kids Wild Crackers available in Tomato + Oregano, Pea + Basil and Carrot + Rosemary flavours.

Designed for lunchboxes, picnics and snacking occasions, the products are formulated with reduced salt levels and classified as non-HFSS options. According to the company, the Crunchy Stix contain less than 0.04g of salt per pack, while the Crackers contain less than 0.05g per serving.

Emma Wood, Senior Brand Manager at Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Ella’s Kitchen Kids is about recognising that the journey doesn’t stop at baby food. As little ones grow, their tastes, independence and routines all change – but parents still want options they can feel good about.”

The launch also signals Ella’s Kitchen’s wider ambitions within the children’s snacking market, with additional products and categories expected later this year.

Wood added that the company aims to help “raise the standards of the kids’ food category” by balancing taste, convenience and nutrition.